Blogger

 

http://www.blogger.com

Blogger is a free and very user-friendly tool for creating blogs.  The site is hosted by Google at the subdomain blogspot.com.  Users require a Google account.  Signing up is easy.  Once your account is activated, you can get started on setting up your blog.  In case you don't know what a blog is . . .

1. Definition of blog (n)

   Bing Dictionary
   • blog
   • [ blog ]
1. diary on Web site: a frequently updated personal journal chronicling links at a Web site, intended for public viewing
2. have weblog: to create or run a weblog

As it turns out, the word "blog" is derived the the words "web log."

Getting started is quite easy.  Watch this short tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKVQKQxxUlk

Users can create more than one blog, all on the same Google account.  I'm still a newbie, so I'm still learning about how to personalize my blog using templates from other sites.  I've also learned that you could add "widgets," which are basically badges or icons, that will connect readers to other sites or online applications.

So far, my experience using Blogger has been a positive one.  The posting page is set up very similar to creating a Word document.  There are icons and tabs that give you the option to modify font, add images, weblinks, lables, and more.  It didn't take long at all for me to figure it out.  Like other technology tools, the more you use it, the better you get at using it.  I wish there were more options for font style, though.  Also, I read somewhere that users cannot delete comments made by other people.  I'm not sure about this, as no one has commented on my blog yet.  If that is the case, the downside to that is not being able to delete negative, offensive, or obscene comments.  I have also not noticed a "flag" feature for such cases.  That is something I will keep looking in to.  

I want to wrap up by saying that blogging is a great way to get students engaged in classroom discussions--especially students who don't like to speak in front of others.  A class blog would give kids an alternative to the traditional face-to-face meetings.  It would also give them the opportunity to practice their writing and reading skills.  One last thought . . . it would give them the opportunity to connect with other students all over the world.  

So, give it a try and get started.  Happy blogging!